Chapter Text
Phoenix Prapai Theerapanyakul was raised entirely on love. It was a rather strange truth, since he was also the heir to the largest mafia family in Thailand, but it was undeniably the truth.
His parents loved him and each other. They loved their respective brothers and their brother-in-laws. They loved his cousins and all the shenanigans they got into. His Dad even loved his Uncle Vegas despite their history (parts that Pai had to piece together).
Pai didn't know anything except love, he didn't know how not to love. Which could at times be an issue, putting him in awkward positions with hookups and casual flings. It wasn't until Sky did Pai understand the depths his love could travel.
Sky quickly became his everything. His reason for breathing. His reason for waking up in the morning. Everything.
Venice liked to give him shit for how whipped he was, but Pai could easily shoot back his own taunts about a certain someone.
All to say Pai was built for love, and that love was meant for Sky. Pai wanted Sky, in every way, shape, and form.
***
The first time it slips out, it’s the night Sky had been introduced to the family. It had been horrible. The kidnapping, the gun, the reveal, it had left his boyfriend a shaken mess, and while Sky hadn't broken up with him, Pai needed to earn forgiveness.
They had gone back to Sky’s dorm, promising his parents he'd bring Sky around for a proper introduction in the coming days.
Sky had then told him (not demanded because that would mean Sky didn't have all the power in their relationship) he had to be good. That he needed to treat Sky right. That he needed to ensure Sky was satisfied.
Pai had got Sky off three times before he had finally been allowed to slide inside Sky, he then got Sky off another two times before he was allowed to cum. Praise, begging, and choked noises were pushed out of Pai until he was an incoherent mess.
Later, after Pai had got them clean, had checked that Sky had forgiven him (was still not thinking of breaking up), they laid in the too small bed. Pai preferred it to the one in his condo or the family compound, giving him an easy excuse to cling to Sky's side. Sky always grumbled but never pushed him aside. Sky's breathing was evening out, clinging onto the threads of wakefulness for a while longer. It was cute.
“I want to marry you.” It slipped out, Pai hadn't even realised he had thought it until the words entered the air. Panic quickly followed, he hadn't meant to say it. He didn't want to scare Sky off with something like this right after narrowly losing him.
Before Pai could try and save their relationship (without taking back what he said because he did mean them, and he had promised no more lies), Sky turned over burying his nose in Pai’s neck.
“Ask me again when you're not in trouble.” He sleepy mumbled into warmed skin.
Oh.
***
They're having a small family dinner the second time it happens. His parents just got back from a short work trip, and his Pa had insisted on a proper family meal. Sky had been excited, having quickly grown close to his Pa. It had been wonderous to watch Sky unfurl under his Pa’s particular brand of care, to watch as Sky accepted the people who had raised him.
Dinner had been cleaned up and they now sat around, sipping the expensive wine his Pa had paired with dinner. Pa is regaling Sky with a story from the trip, the two bent in laughter over something his Dad had done. The noise is like music.
“Phoenix, come help me get dessert.” His Dad stated, already getting up from the table. Sky barely spared him a glance, Pai doesn't mind because he's just happy that his parents like Sky.
The kitchen is empty of all but one cleaner who makes themselves scarce when they enter. Pa had wanted a more intimate night, he didn't want that feeling of having to act. As much as they all loved each other, one still needed to put on some kind of face for larger family gatherings and when staff lingered around. Sky would become reserved, and Pai hated it, apparently his parents also agreed with the sentiment.
“How is Sky doing?” Dad asked as he helped cut into the cake that had been made for the night. Pa had been craving something with rich chocolate and Dad always caved to Pa’s desires.
“With?”
Pai gets an unimpressed look, “With integrating into the family? I know he wasn't thrilled with who we are.”
“That was his ex’s fault.” Pai tried to keep the venom out of his voice but it was a struggle. Gun would always be a sore spot for him.
His Dad hummed, keeping his eyes on dessert, “Even so, adjusting to this life isn't easy. You need to be careful so as not to lose him.” Pai knows that his Dad is just being honest. Pa hadn't been raised in their world, and it had cost them both a lot to get to the place they currently were.
“I'll protect him.” he declared.
His Dad smiled, and Pai wondered if he had said something similar about Pa. His Uncle Chay liked to joke how much Pai took after Pa, but Pai knew where his obsessive nature came from.
“I want to marry him.” Pai slapped a hand over his mouth, not intending to tell his father that. It was one thing to think about it and another to admit it out loud to the man who raised him.
Dad chuckled, handing him two plates of cake, “You should probably wait until after you make it to the first anniversary.”
“Did you?”
“Do as I say, not as I do.”
***
The air was heavy with humidity, the tar scent near overpowering the third time. Music reverberated through the ground, mixed with the fever of racers and spectators. Pai felt alive.
Forget boardrooms and galas and everything that came with being a mafia prince, this is where Pai belonged. His blood sang with adrenaline, his muscles coiled tight, ready to spring at a moment's notice.
He handed his helmet off to one of the pit girls, eyes scanning the crowd for Sky. Sky didn't watch all of his races, the press of the crowd could sometimes be too much and he'd hide out at the mechanics tent with Venice and Rome. While he was disappointed that his boyfriend hadn't seen another victory, his opponent hadn't been all that good so there wasn't much to miss. Still he keeps his head on a swivel trying to catch sight of him.
It's as he's walking off the track does he turn his head just in time to catch sight of glitter and skin, before Rain came bounding over. If Pai came alive at the races, Rain lit up. It was obvious that Rain had taken to this life like a fish does to water. He could easily see the younger as a mafia queen, unquestioning loyalty behind Venice, the same as his Uncle Pete.
“P’Pai.” Rain greeted, slotting their arms together, “have you seen Sky?”
Normally this would be a cause for alarm as Sky and Rain were normally tied together during the races. But as Pai opens his mouth to respond, but the crowd parts and Pai catches sight of Sky at the mechanics tent talking with Venice. The tent being in the opposite direction Rain had come from, he had probably been hanging out with the group of put girls that had all but adopted him. From the quick glance he can see his cousin bent low on a bike, but clearly engaged in whatever they were talking about.
Sky and Rain were always weighed down by assignments, and Sky had finally begun using Venice as a resource to exploit. It was natural for Sky to want to do things alone, but he was starting to learn he didn't have to.
“He's over there.” Pai swung an arm around Rain's shoulder leading him towards the mechanics tents, catching a whiff of alcohol. Rain isn't supposed to drink at the races, but the pit girls often do so it's probably just from being around them. Pai didn't question how they got separated, if Rain had been with the pit girls, Sky probably had wandered back to the mechanics tent after getting bored. He feels Rain sag once he spots Sky, tension leaching out.
They make it a few steps when Rain speaks up, “I'm so glad Sky is my best friend.”
Pai hummed, “Really?”
“Yeah. I never had a best friend before him. Most people can't handle my me-ness,” he waved a dismissive hand down at himself, “but he never even batted an eye at it.” He leans heavier on Pai and Pai is starting to suspect that Rain may be tipsy,
“You're not a handful Rain, and even if you were you're too cute so it balances out.”
“You have to say that or else Sky will be upset. He's the best.”
“Yes,” Pai wholly agreed, “he is. What's bringing this on?”
Rain shrugged, “I was just thinking about it. I want to keep him for the rest of my life.”
“I do too. I want to marry him.” It slips out, and Pai only realised when Rain stopped walking. He looks down at Rain, a question on his lips when he sees Rain staring back with wide eyes.
“You want to marry Sky!” He slaps a hand over Rain's mouth, thankful the noise of the race covered the shout. A few heads turn to them, but most are used to the group antics.
“Why are you yelling?” He asked, keeping his hand over Rain's mouth, “Of course I want to marry Sky. Just like Venice wants to marry you.”
Rain squeaks, pulling Pai’s hand down, “P’Phayu wants to marry me?”
Pai has no idea how Rain and Venice’s relationship works but clearly there is some level of missing communication if Rain thinks Venice wouldn't marry him. Venice looks at Rain like no one else in the world exists, the only reason Pai isn't nauseated by it is because he doesn't have a leg to stand on.
He rolls his eyes, “Maybe you should talk to Ven about that.” Because Pai does not want to deal with his cousin's love life any more than Ven wants to deal with his.
Rain jerks, his eyes darting to Venice. Pai can tell that Rain has completely forgotten his slip up, which is great because Pai is not proposing at the races. Sky would probably refuse on principle alone, and honestly, Pai would even blame him. No Pai will have a plan.
***
He was past the point of tipsy and right into full on drunk, the fourth time. He didn't know how many shots he did but he was sad and lonely and his heart was broken.
Okay he was being a bit dramatic but in his defence his Pa and uncle had taken Sky and Rain for the weekend. Despite Pai’s very adult response of clinging to his boyfriend and begging Sky not to go.
Not wanting to be in the condo alone, Pai had driven over to Venice's place and the two had attempted to drown their attachment issues with alcohol. It was rare for Venice to drink this much, his cousin usually kept a tight leash on his control. Maybe because Rain wasn't there, probably because Rain wasn't there did he let himself indulge.
“Rain asked me if I wanted to marry him.” Venice says completely unprompted, after they've downed their…current drink. Pai had completely lost count.
He made a noise of acknowledgement, “What did you say?”
Venice sighs, “I told him after graduation we would talk about it.”
Pai is impressed with his aim despite his extreme intoxication as he hits Venice square in the face with a pillow. His cousin reels from the impact before whipping a pillow back.
“What was that for?”
Pai huffs, “This is what got you in trouble last time. Stop pretending like your boy doesn't have you wrapped around his finger. You probably already know what ring you want to put on him.”
“It's upstairs.”
Pai blinks, “What?”
“The ring.” Venice reiterates, “I already bought it.”
Pai groans, dropping his head onto the back of the couch. “So you have the ring but can't tell him, and I don't have the ring but I already asked Sky.”
Ven’s head pops up, and Pai thinks Venice probably doesn't get drunk around Rain because he can't keep his whole Dom persona in check, because right now his cousin looks a bit like a gopher. A gopher squinting at him like he's grown a second head, “You asked Sky? And you're not shouting it from the rooftops?”
He mumbled a response not even clear to his own ears. Venice pulls himself up, “What?”
“He didn't accept it.”
It leaves a sticky feeling inside of him. A twisting anxious bundle that threatens nausea at all moments. Pai knows logically that Sky hadn't refused, he had requested it at a better time, but that doesn't stop a not so dead insecurity to rise up. One that involved unanswered texts, blocked numbers, and spiralling hurt. Sky isn't walking out of his life, but Pai would like to have something concrete so he can put that specific nightmare to rest.
Okay maybe he should stop drinking.
His foot is nudged and he looks up to see Venice staring at him. There is a look he gets, like he has you all figured out with just a look, that he gets from Uncle Vegas. It's unnerving to be trapped in it, especially since Venice does know him better than most people.
“Ask him again. It's Sky, he loves you.”
And maybe it is that simple. Or maybe they're both drunk.
***
The fifth time it happens, he doesn't even say anything. His Uncle Chay just gives him a look a week later and Pai knows that he knows.
Wonderful.